Finally I won Gulf Coast Triathlon
Posted in Racing by Gabriella LoskotovaGulf Coast Triathlon and Ironman Florida are my most favorite races. I love Panama City Beach for its warm weather, beautiful beaches, clear water and very nice people. But what I don’t like is the humidity, wind, and rough water that were all present on the race day. Also the water was too warm and the pros were not allowed to wear wetsuits.
The water was very rough and I am not used to swimming in big waves. Unfortunately the waves were so high that I was unable to stay with the lead group of pro-men. I had to swim alone throughout the swim course and it wasn’t always easy to find the buoys. It was easier to swim back after the turn around and I was quite happy that I did not get nauseous. My time was slower than usual but I was glad that I was the lead woman to come out of the water.
I knew I had to push as hard as I could on the bike because I had to put as much time as possible between the other competitors and myself. I had no time to waste because I knew that Amy was a good cyclist and was also able to run fast. It was very hot and humid and it felt like I was cycling in the sauna. The sweat was pouring down my face throughout the bike leg.The bike course was out and back with a tailwind on the way out and a headwind on the way back. I was surprised to see my lead had increased at the turnaround, but I knew that I had to keep going strong. It was much more difficult riding into the headwind but I was aware that if I was able to ride strong I could keep my distance from the other competitors and be able to finish the bike leg in a first place with a nice lead.
At T2 I was satisfied with my bike time of 2:31, several minutes better than last year. However I had no idea how far the other girls were behind me. My husband was racing too and there was nobody to tell me the situation. I started the first mile slow to allow my body to get used to the run. I sped up after one mile, according to my plan, and kept checking to see what was happening behind me. I didn’t see anyone and I didn’t have to run at a maximum effort. It was wonderful to cross the finish line as the first professional woman!
I was not the only one to win from the TIMEX Team. Bruce Gennari won Masters in 4:18 and finished 5th overall!
I am looking forward to going back to Panama City Beach in November for Ironman Florida. I hope the conditions will be much better.
May 19th, 2008 at 10:43 am
Gabriella,
Congratulations on your accomplishment. I know you’ve dedicated many hours in persuit of this and it must be really satisfying to know you finally won.
I have been following triathlons ever since my first one two years ago. Being a 6′7″ 245 clydesdale I can only dream of the time the Pros post. My goal this year is to finish my first olympic. I really enjoyed your race day breakdown. I love the way you worked a strategy rather than just doing event for event. I guess that’s what seperates the Pros from the Amateurs.
That leads me to a question, how is the winner of a race actually determined relative to the Professionals and Amateurs? I see where Amy Kloner actually had the fastest time yet you state you won the race. Are Amateurs times not considered in the final standings or is it since Amateurs cannot win money then their times aren’t considered in the overall standings. Sorry if I do not understand this I guess being a neophyte can cause one to ask dumb questions.
Good Luck on your next race. May the current lift your swim, your ride be downhill and the wind be at your back.
Sincerely,
Andrew Rodgers
May 19th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
Gabriella,
You didn’t win Gulf Coast !!!!!!
Outrageous that you even try to say you did.
Amy Kloner WON the Overall race for the Women.
Do the right thing, correct yourself, and your blog before higher-ups make you do so.
Humility, and Honesty are the cornerstones of our great sport of Triathlon. Please put them into practice before you catch any more flack for this incredibly dishonest post.
JS
May 20th, 2008 at 8:05 am
Win: “to gain the victory in a contest”
The “winner” is the fastest person in the race- without qualification. The person that is over 4 minutes back is second. If your team mate were to say he “won Gulf Coast” with “masters” as a barely mentioned footnote would that be accurate?
Your post implies that your “win” was uncontested when you are in fact listed as 2nd in the results. Congratulations on 2nd place.